Is confession and confirmation the same as getting saved?

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Each person has their own approach to reinforcement. My argument was what about mature, financially responsible, adults in a committed relationship practicing safe consensual sex.
 
I want to be able to answer why Catholics have a catechism book or do certain things if asked. Ignorance is what invites people to evangelize to me. If I had confidence no one would
 
I know that. There is a temptation for me rationalize it that way. I used to think I was practicing purity by engaging in activities that excluded the actual act
 
These are my friends maybe I will avoid the conversation altogether
 
Again, talk to a priest, he may suggest taking a class, or sitting in when RCIA begins in the fall.

But you know what? You really need to learn to say no thanks to discussing Catholicism with other Christians if all they want to do is badmouth Catholicism or try to lure you to their church.

I am not really sure why you are going to a non-denominational church bible group. Plenty of Catholic churches have them. Ask your friend to come along with you this time.
 
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Pray for the desire to want to. Something like “Lord, I pray for the desire to give up sexual sins.” or “Mother Mary please mediate for me the grace to want to give up sexual sins.” Start there.

You were saved at baptism, that’s when you became a child of God.
 
Haha. My friends will not step foot in a Catholic church. My local church doesn’t have a group for young adults.
 
Well there you go. They won’t come to your church so I wouldn’t be going to theirs. In your weakened state, they see you as an easy mark for converting. Just say no thanks. If your local parish doesn’t have one, suggest they start one, and in the mean time, find another church that has one.
 
No, I was thinking more along the lines of “give me the desire right now for chastity”
 
While humorous, it is actually sad. When will you be chaste? When you are married? It is not for you now. Have you looked at Chastity.com? You should. Especially read about Jadon Everys wife’s story. Maybe if you really understand why you should be chaste, it will be easier for you.
 
Jump4Joy said:
“give me chastity but not just yet.”
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St. Augustine.

There was once a wonderful teacher of the Catholic faith, a man named Fulton Sheen. He was an bishop/archbishop in New York. One of his famous teachings was, “a lie is a lie even if everybody believes it, and the truth is the truth, even if nobody believes it.” I offer that that idea goes to speaking of sin. Even if you rationalize it away, sin is still sin.
Sexuality is a great gift to man from God. We share his great attribute of creation in the bringing about of new life. And sex is, as the CC states, a great and beautiful “marital embrace.” It has a proper place. God calls us to rise above the animal kingdom in the use of our sexual facilities. You can accept that or not. Our society certainly doesn’t want to believe it. God calls man to sexual responsibility, not because sex is bad, but because it is so good in his eyes. Your choice, elevate your sexuality to a sacred level with one man in a union of two with God, or simply act as Rover and Fifi on the front lawn.
 
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One of irreligious friends does very little with her boyfriends. Nothing with men in general. Men are interested. I think men are more interested when you don’t do anything with them.
 
One last encouragement - When our fleshly passions have ruled us, it can be hard to put them back in their proper place once they have had free reign. I would start doing a very small act of self-denial every day. If you want a cola at lunch, force yourself to drink a water. Don’t put that slice of cheese on your sandwich. Eat one cookie, not two. Put the water in the shower a little cooler than you normally do. Don’t sleep with a pillow. Offer each one up to Jesus for your purity. Basically just do anything to show your flesh that it won’t die if it doesn’t get its way. You’d be surprised by how the smallest things like this can lead to spiritual victories. Jesus said deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow me. Luke 9:23. It’s Jesus’ formula, that’s why it works. You can do this!
 
Jump4Joy said:
One of irreligious friends does very little with her boyfriends. Nothing with men in general. Men are interested. I think men are more interested when you don’t do anything with them.
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I don’t know Joy. If a woman didn’t want to do anything with me, not only would I not be interested, but I would look elsewhere. I don’t think religion has much to do with desire, some people run hotter or colder than others.
What religion does do as far as sexuality is concerned, is to attempt to position it as a gift from a loving Creator, that sex is intended for specific purposes with specific people.
 
Jump4Joy said:
I meant she doesn’t put out.
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Well, I did figure out that is what you meant. As to why, only she knows. Maybe she has a low sex drive, maybe deep down inside you believes in the Christian teaching as to the sacred nature of sexual expression. You’d have to ask her.
 
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